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Kennedy Denies Telling Fired CDC Director to Preapprove Vaccine Guidance in Senate Hearing

Senators questioned his stewardship after the CDC director’s firing spurred resignations alongside demands for his ouster.

FILE - This photo combination shows, from left, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Jan. 31, 2024, in Salem, Ore., Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, Jan. 27, 2025, in Seattle and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Aug. 21, 2025, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, Lindsey Wasson, Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appears before the Senate Finance Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Overview

  • Testifying before the Senate Finance Committee, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. rejected Susan Monarez’s claim that he ordered her to preapprove recommendations from a newly reconstituted vaccine panel.
  • Committee Democrats pressed to swear in the secretary, a request Chairman Mike Crapo declined, as lawmakers from both parties raised concerns about vaccine policy and agency stability.
  • The White House removed Monarez on Aug. 28 after less than a month in the job, prompting four senior CDC resignations; Kennedy named Deputy Secretary Jim O’Neill as acting CDC director.
  • More than 1,000 current and former HHS employees and over 20 medical and public health organizations have called for Kennedy to resign, citing risks to public health and sidelining of scientific expertise.
  • Kennedy has overhauled vaccine policy by firing all 17 members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, narrowing COVID-19 shot recommendations, and cutting mRNA research funding, moves now drawing planned oversight from Sen. Bill Cassidy and others.